Maida F. Ryker

Maida Ryker passed from this life to her heavenly home on Thursday, December 23, 2021. She was born August 12, 1925 in Springdale, Arkansas, the second child of Henry Elbert and Carrie (Atkison) Grimsley. She grew up with her three brothers, Leonard, Joe and Roy on the family farm near Springdale and graduated from Springdale High School in 1943. After working at a bank in Wichita, Kansas for a short while, she returned to work at a bank in Fayetteville, Arkansas. In Fayetteville, she met the love of her life, Melburn Ryker. They married in 1946 and soon moved to Muskogee, Oklahoma where they raised three daughters. She worked part time as a bookkeeper for the Muskogee Farmers Association, which was managed by her husband. They made many good friends in the farming and ranching community around Muskogee. Besides sewing, she also enjoyed “digging in the dirt” and was proud of her lush vegetable and fruit garden in the backyard every summer. After retirement, she loved volunteering in the hospital gift shop and working with the Muskogee Election Board. She used her sewing skills to create many, many colorful tote bags and purses enjoyed by many and became known as the “purse lady”. Maida was a faithful and active member of Central Baptist Church in Muskogee and her strong faith was the foundation of how she lived her life. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was grateful they lived nearby so she could be with them often. Preceding her in death were her parents; husband, Melburn V. Ryker; brothers, Leonard, Joe and Roy Grimsley; and two sons-in-law, Frank Gibbs and David Marks. She is survived by her three daughters, Marilyn Gilder and husband Earnie, Jo Gibbs and Melinda Marks; grandchildren, Wesley Gilder, Nick Marks and wife LaNae, Stephanie Marks Lakey and husband Daniel; great-grandchildren, Bennet and Sawyer Marks, Brooklyn and Bryce Lakey; sisters-in-law, Jean Grimsley, Donna Grimsley, and Mada Ryker Wilson; along with other nieces and nephews. Maida enjoyed a full and happy life and will be greatly missed! Thank you to her hospice team from St. Francis and those who cared for her so lovingly at Clarehouse in Tulsa in her final weeks. Maida’s family will receive friends from 5-7PM, Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at Cornerstone Funeral Home. Funeral services for Maida will be 12:30pm, Thursday, December 30, 2021 at Cornerstone Funeral Home Chapel with Pastor Ron Brown and Mr. Perry Grimsley officiating. Interment will follow at 2:30pm at Fort Gibson National Cemetery.

Maida F. Ryker

August 12, 1925 - December 23, 2021